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Post by gato on Apr 7, 2022 7:08:15 GMT -5
As the name implies, I'm taking a shot at starting a thread where we can all share scams we become aware of. New ones seem to crop up all the time. I figured it might be more useful to put them all in one place, rather than a using a scattershot approach on individual threads. The idea is to write a brief description of what the scam does, and then annotate it with a link that describes how it works, defenses against it and so on. It would probably be best to stick to scams that are clearly identifiable, rather than, "I heard about this scam the other day...." without any accompanying facts that can be searched and verified. For instance: QR Code scams are becoming popular. Your phone scans a QR on a menu, business door, parking meter, etc. But the scammer got there before you, making a counterfeit that is applied right over the legitimate, that takes you to a malicious website. "Many people know they need to be on the lookout for phishy links and questionable attachments in emails that purport to be from the bank. But thinking twice about scanning a QR code with your smartphone camera isn't second nature for most people." www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/qr-code-scams-are-on-the-rise-heres-how-to-avoid-getting-duped/ |
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Post by Lesterstrat on Apr 7, 2022 9:46:41 GMT -5
I always try to watch for the credit card skimmers at gas stations, but I’m not sure what I’m even looking for so I generally just make sure the seal is in tact.
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Post by LVF on Apr 7, 2022 9:49:09 GMT -5
1. All email scams are phishing scams generally generated by the 'buy up' of your email address.
2. Getting into to the intricacies of how these scams work would imply that you know it's a scam and therefore, should be avoided. Just trash it.
3. Don't use QR codes. Do what you always did before the bar codes. At least until they have a program that recognizes fraud.
I get phishing emails almost on a daily basis. There is even someone else that shares my email addy that I receive some of her email at times. My provider doesn't even recognize there is a problem with this. I've had no issues with this 'arrangement' so far so, I just trash what I get from her reference.
I can't tell you how many times I've been awarded millions of dollars from my 'friends' over seas. You know that old cliché about 'if I had a penny'? I could probably pay off the national debt. I've been charged for things I didn't order, for hundreds of dollars to the same degree. Maybe between the Nigerian awards and those charges, it would be a wash and I wouldn't be able to pay off the national debt.
Bottom line is, I don't pay much attention to these situations anymore. I just trash them. I just have to be amazed that there are people out there that actually fall for these scams. But then, I shouldn't be surprised. There are things and actions people do with no thought that usually end up affecting other peoples lives to vastly negative proportions.
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Post by Leftee on Apr 7, 2022 9:50:30 GMT -5
I always try to watch for the credit card skimmers at gas stations, but I’m not sure what I’m even looking for so I generally just make sure the seal is in tact. If the CC reader protrudes from the face of the panel, grab and give it a couple firm tugs. Skimmers will come off. |
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krrf
Wholenote
Posts: 376
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Post by krrf on Apr 7, 2022 10:00:00 GMT -5
Here's a good rule of thumb on phone/email phishing. If you get an email from even a reputable source you weren't expecting, don't click any links or call any numbers. Go to the actual website and contact support and work it that way (that means go to search engine of your choice and search for the company contact... not using anything in the email). If you get an unexpected call from your bank or whatever, same drill. Get the actual number and call them back. 99% of the time phishing is preying on your innate human laziness and lack of diligence. True brute force hacking attempts are quite rare these days, they are relying on you to do something (click a link, install malware, give them your CC number, etc).
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Post by gato on Apr 7, 2022 10:46:29 GMT -5
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Apr 7, 2022 13:02:07 GMT -5
You receive a text message ... from yourself. My wife got one of those this week. I was surprised I had to tell her to just ignore it. |
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Post by budg on Apr 7, 2022 13:57:34 GMT -5
The common ones I get via email are “ your ——— account has been locked. Click here to reset your password.” “Thank you . Click here for your rewaard.” “ Your package is in transit. Click here to check your status. “ Like has been said, always use the actual website to log in to check everything. They either want your CC info, log in info or download some maleware onto your device.
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Post by oldnjplayer on Apr 8, 2022 6:14:04 GMT -5
something I've noticed is when I delete a suspicious e mail it disappears and does not show up in my trash folder. Not sure why that would happen but I've checked several times when I delete obvious scam e mails. Anyone else experience this or is is my email program just weird. Oh its Comcast/Xfinity.
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Post by rickyguitar on Apr 8, 2022 22:04:22 GMT -5
Or they want you to verify charges to your account. The account you don't have.
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Post by gato on Apr 9, 2022 7:16:36 GMT -5
Or they want you to verify charges to your account. The account you don't have. I was notified by email that my Norton Anti-Virus had expired. (click here) Haven't used Norton in 15 years. |
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Post by samspade on Apr 9, 2022 8:13:54 GMT -5
Hovering over the sender's email and seeing the actual address usually uncovers a scam. Always best to login to the actual credit card site, etc if concerned. Still have a lanline with my cable provider, which I hardly use, but get at least 5 calls a day with scams. I report suspicious emails as phishing, but someone needs to enforce some kind of action against these people. Listening to my daily voicemails...not a violent person, but would love to beat the sh*t out these people.
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Post by RonC Picker on Apr 9, 2022 14:12:11 GMT -5
Or they want you to verify charges to your account. The account you don't have. I was notified by email that my Norton Anti-Virus had expired. (click here) Haven't used Norton in 15 years. Coincidentally, I've been notified multiple times that my McAfee protection is expiring. Haven't had them in mucho years either. |
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Post by langford on Apr 10, 2022 20:34:04 GMT -5
One of the common ones around here are calls that tell you the Canada Revenue Agency (same as the IRS) has found problems with your tax return. A warrant has been issued for your arrest... unless you press "1" to speak immediately to an agency representative who will help you resolve the issue and avoid prosecution. I've followed through once or twice to speak to these helpful people for a laugh. Total amateur hour. No fun at all.
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Post by Chauncy Gardner on Apr 11, 2022 20:09:14 GMT -5
I've been texting back and forth with myself for a week. It became so annoying that I ended up blocking myself, but I have to admit I still wonder what I'm really up to.
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